The Chicago Bears have had a schedule for about an hour now, so let’s make some way-too-early predictions for the 2026 season!
The WCG crew will kick off a schedule release roundtable in a couple of days, so I reserve the right to revise my quick take after more thought, but for now, I see the Bears at 10 wins minimum, which should get them back in the postseason in the NFC.
Here’s what partners at FanDuel Sportsbook have for the win totals for the four NFC North teams.
Detroit Lions: 10.5 (Over -130/Under +110)
Green Bay Packers: 9.5 (Over -125/Under +105)
Chicago Bears: 9.5 (Over +110/Under -130)
Minnesota Vikings: 8.5 (Over +120/Under -140)
To explain what those numbers mean, if you think the Bears will go over 9.5 wins as I do, then a $100 wager would win $110. So the higher the number, the less likely something is to happen per the oddsmakers.
The Bears open on the road against the Carolina Panthers, and right now FanDuel has the spread at Carolina +2.5, which means they think the Panthers are a home underdog. If you think the Bears will win despite giving up those 2.5 points, which I do, you get that at -115. The over/under point total for the game is 44.5 (-110), and the moneyline — which is a straight pick with no point spread — is -142 for the Bears.
Over three-quarters of all spread bets on the game so far at FanDuel are on the Bears, with 97% of the moneyline wagers on Chicago.
So, to recap my early picks: give me the over on the Bears’ season win total of 9.5, and give me the Bears at -2.5 at Carolina Week 1.
You can check out the Bears’ full schedule here.
Our guys Ryan Droste and Bryan Orenchuk streamed a Bears Over Beers on our 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel earlier tonight at 7:30 CT, so check that out right here for their immediate schedule reactions.